At least two senators on Wednesday, January 21 agree that the holding of an impeachment trial at this point in time is not an ideal situation but holding government officials accountable is a necessary and very important political exercise.

For his part, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he believes it is not prudent for the Senate to conduct an impeachment trial given the weight of the recent scandals implicating lawmakers and government officials in various graft and corruption issues in light of the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. 

But holding public officials, even those occupying the top positions, is part of the country’s democratic processes.

“In my personal opinion, we have a lot to fix. We’re not even through fixing the issue on flood control. And the reforms we're doing so that this doesn't happen again are just beginning,” Gatchalian said in an interview on DZMM. 

“There are many other things we need to look into so that this doesn't happen again. For example, our processes. So that's one,” he said.

“But we also can't ignore accountability. Because that's also part of strengthening our institutions,” the senator said.

Should the cases prosper at the House of Representatives, the Senate will be facing two impeachment trials this year—that of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. 

But Gatchalian believes the impeachment process would be protracted given the latest ruling of the Supreme Court. 

“First of all, impeachment proceedings is now very difficult. Because of the Supreme Court ruling, there are now many processes at the Lower House alone. They need to be like prosecutors in the House alone. They are required to summon the accused, the witnesses. So that alone, it is a long process,” he said.

“Unlike before, the approval of just one-third of the lawmakers is all that is needed, then it goes to straight to the Senate. Now, because of the new Supreme Court policy, it is a long process in the Lower  House,” he pointed out.

Moreover, the composition of the 19th Congress and the 20th Congress for both chambers are very different. 

“The sentiments in the 19th Congress and the 20th Congress are also very different. It is very different. Just here in the Senate, you can see the composition is far, far away from the 19th Congress. So these are the factors that should be considered,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also agreed that conducting an impeachment trial is not the ideal situation as it could disrupt the country’s economic stability again “but nobody can quarrel with the principle of accountability of public officials.”

“If these (impeachment cases) go up here to the Senate, I am ready to perform my duty as senator-judge to consider any evidence that will be offered in the impeachment complaint and make a decision, vote, based on that evidence,” Hontiveros said during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Anything is possible if both complaints will prosper at the House. Then we will have two duties here or two impeachment trials,” she said.

“Even the issue of stability or the attractiveness of the economy depends on the perception, first and foremost, of us Filipinos and also of the international community in terms of good governance within the country,” added the senator.

“So although, it’s not an ideal situation, if there are two simultaneous impeachment trials, then that’s the Senate’s job,” she said.

“And in the long run, if both trials are resolved or closed satisfactorily or properly, in the long run, it should contribute to the development of our country,” Hontiveros reiterated.